Apparatus for electrically igniting miners&#39; safety-lamps.



V. E. JOYCE. APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY IGNITING MiNERS SAFETY LAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24. 1914.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

I IS

.4 EI/ F162. Fm.

V. E. JOYCE.

APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY IGNITING MINERS SAFETY LAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24. I914- 1,154,992. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

5 SHEETSQSHEET 2.

zawa

V. E. JOYCE.

APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY IGNITING MINERS SAFETY LAMPS. APPLICATIONFILED JULY 24. I9I4.

1,154,992. PatentedSept. 28, 1915.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3- FIG. 8. H07.

V. E. JOYCE.

APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY IGNITING MINERS SAFETY LAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24.1914.

1,154,992. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

FIGS. FIG. (0.

vii Mum COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH CDUWASHXNQTON, D. c.

V. E. JOYCE.

- APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY IGNITING mums SAFETY LAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24.1914.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

5 SHEETSSHEET 5.

FIG. II.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO-IWASHINCITON, n. ::v

VICTOR ERNEST JOYCE, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY IGNITING MINERS SAFETY-LAMPS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

Application filed July 24, 1914. Serial No. 852,948.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VICTOR ERNEST Joyce, a subject of the King of GreatBrita-in and Ireland, residing at London, England, (whose post-ofliceaddress is Goldhawk Works, Goldhawk Road, 'Shepherds Bush, in the countyof London, England,) have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin and Relating to Apparatus for Electrically Igniting MinersSafety-Lamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to apparatus for electrically igniting minerssafety lamps.

The invention relates particularly to that type of apparatus in whichhand driven electricity generating apparatus isemployed for providingthe current necessary for igniting the lamp, the inclosing casing of theapparatus comprising agenerator chamber, a lamp chamber, anopening inthe lamp chamber through which the lamp to be lighted is inserted intothe said chamber, and means for closing the opening of the lamp chamber,said means being so constructed and arranged that in one of its extremepositions it closes the said lamp chamber and enables the generator tobe driven and at all other of its positions it prevents the generatorbeing .driven .by preventing the generator handle being coupled to thegenerator.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved construction ofapparatus of the kind above set forth, which will be simple, strong andeflicient.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts anddetails of construction pointed out in the claims and hereinafterdescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of apparatus according to thisinvention, showing the parts in such relativepositions that the apertureproviding the entrance to the lamp chamber is closed, and Fig. 2 is anele- Nation of such apparatus with the entrance to the lamp chamberopen. Fig. 3 is a part sectional, part full elevationof rthe apparatusshown in Figs. 1 and 2, the parts being in the positionshown-inFig. '1.Fig. 4 is a sectional plan of t e apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,the section being taken on the line AA, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a plan view ofthe top cover of the apparatus shown in the preceding figures with thebrush (hereinafter described) removed. Fig. 6 is a view, partlysectional, of the top cover of the apparatus shown in the precedingfigores and the negative contact (hereinafter described) removed fromthe apparatus. Fig. 7 shows in elevation another form of apparatusaccording to this invention, the parts being in such relative positionsthat the aperture providing the entrance of the lamp chamber is closed,and Fig. 8 shows such apparatus with the parts in such relativepositions that the lamp chamber is open. Fig. 9 is a part sectional,part full, elevation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the

parts being in the position shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan of the apparatus shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9,the section being taken on the line BB, Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a frontelevation of another form of apparatus according to this invention andFig. 12 1s a view illustrating a handle for driving the; generator,which can be folded over so that the means for closing the aperture inthrough which the lamp to be lighted is inserted and the generatorchamber 6 a hole 8 in its cylindrical wall through which the stem of thegenerator driving handle passes .or is passed to engage or connectwiththe operating spindle of the generator 9, which handle may be removableor be so constructed as to fold in flush with said cylindrical wall ofthe generator chamber, an outer imperforate cylinder or sleeve 10 oflesser height or length than the inner cylindrical casing 1 beingprovided and adapted to slide longitudinallv thereon, the constructionand arrangementbeing suchthatin one extreme position of the outercylinder or sleeve 10 thesaidhole 7 in the lamp chamber 5 is effectively closed and the said hole 8 in the generator chamber 6uncovered, or the generator handle itself uncovered, so that thegenerator may be operated, but that in any other position of the outercylinder or sleeve 10 the said hole 8 in the generator chamber 6, or thegenerator handle, is closed or covered by the said outer cylinder orsleeve 10 and operation of the generator 9 is thus prevented.

The cylindrical casing is arranged vertically as shown, the upperportion thereof forming the lamp chamber, the lower portion thegenerator chamber. The generator may be a magneto apparatus.

The construction of apparatus shown in Figs. 7 to 10 comprises avertical cylindrical casing 1 divided by a horizontal air tightpartition 4 into a generator chamber 6 and a lamp chamber 5, the latterbeing. in the construction shown, the upper one and being pro ided withan aperture 7 in the cylinder wall through which the lamp may beinserted. the lower chamber containing the generator 9 and having in thecylindrical wall the hole through which the generator handle passes oris passed to engage the driving sp ndle of the generator. A secondcylinder 10 is provided and adapted to take about the cvlinder 1 and berevoluble thereon, the cylinders 1. 10 being a good fit the one to theother. The outer cylinder 10 is provided with two openings. 7 8. one 7"through which the lam to be ignited may be passed.

' when the cylinders are in such positions relat elv to each other (seeFig. 10) that the sa d opening 7 in the outer cylinder 10 coinc des withthe lamp opening 7 in the inner cylinder 1. and the other 8 throughwhich the operating or driving handle of the gen erator may be insertedto drive the generator when and only when, the cylinders are in suchpositions relatively to each other that the outer one (10) iseffectively closing or sealing the lamp opening 7 of the inner one, theouter cylinder 10 in all other relative positions of the cylindersclosing or blocking the generator handle hole of the inner cylinder.

In the transverse partition 4 which separates the two chambers 5 and 6of the casing 1 there may be provided a seat 11 for the lamp bottom anda spring contact stud 12 is provided adapted when the lamp is inposition to make contact with the usual contact stud in and insulatedfrom the lamp bottom, said contact stud 12 in the partition 4 being thepositive contact of the apparatus. The seat 11 (if provided) isinsulated from the partition 4 and from the contact stud 12,

which latter is also insulated from the partition 4:. The lead-in wireof the lamp is connected in any approved manner to the said contact studin the lamp bottom and the return wire in the lamp 'tothe lamp frame.The negative contact of the apparatus according to this inventionconsists of a plate or diaphrgam 13 in electric connection with theupper part of the lamp chamber, for instance by means of the spring 14,this spring pressed contact plate or diaphragm 13 making contact withthe top of the lamp frame and also acting to press said contact stud inthe lamp bottom firmly on to the contact stud 12 in the transverseposition 4. The said negative contact 13 is earthed on the casing of theapparatus or on the frame-work of the generator.

The transverse partition 4 in the inner cylinder '1 may be andpreferably is a disk 01' the desired thickness formed of insulatingmaterial and carried. on and secured to the frame of the generator 9.

The top and bottom plates or parts 2, 3 of the inner cylinder 1 arepreferably screwed into the said cylinder and locked by countersunkscrews passing through the cylinder 1, but the said parts 2, 3 may besecured to the cylinder 1 by screws passing through countersunk holes insaid cylinder 1, into annular flanges on the plates (or into the platesthemselves) and the heads of such screws may be covered with suitablewax or other sealing material which may be imprinted with some name ordevice so that tampering with the screws may be detected.

The transverse partition 4 in the inner cylinder may if desired besecured in place by sealed screws and spring pins similarly and carriedby the bottom or base plate 3 of the apparatus, so that by disconnectingsaid bottom or base plate from the inner cylinder 1 (and the transversepartition 4 from the inner cylinder if it be secured thereto) thegenerator 9, partition 4 and contact 12 carried thereby may be removedfor repair or replacement by a new generator etc.

Anti-explosion passages, governed by suitable non-return valves, may beprovided if desired, said passages and valves being such that should anexcess of pressure obtain in the lamp chamber the valves will open andpermit the pressure to escape through the said passage. For instance anannular groove, or as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, a recess 15 may beprovided in the upper side of the top plate 2 and the desired number ofpassages 16 drilled so as to connect said groove or recess with theinterior of the lamp chamber 5; the upper ends of said passages may beof enlarged conical form and each constitute a valve chamber adapted toreceive a valve ball 17, and a portion of wire gauze 18 may be providedto take into said recess 15 and prevent the valve balls 17 leaving theirrespective valve .chambers, 18 being a sheet metal ring holding saidgauze in position. The gauze is not shown in Fig. 5.

In a suitable position on .the apparatus there may be provided a brushover and in contact with which thev bottom of the lamp may be passed, toremove coal dust or the like therefrom, before the lamp is plaaed .inthe apparatus, and such brush is preferably va wire brush 19 detachablysecured to the upper end .or top of the apparatus.

If the above described wire brush 19 be provided, and its base plate 20cover the recess 15 in the top plate 2of the lamp chamber, a series ofradial passages 21 are drilled in said plate to connect said recess 15with the atmosphere.

Suitable lugs or feet may be provided at the base of the apparatus bywhich it may be secured in position, and suitable lugs or handles 22 areformed or provided on the exterior of the outer cylinder or sleeve 10 bywhich it may be moved relatively to the inner cylinder.

The dimensions and position of the hole 7 in the lamp chamber 5 and thedimensions of the outer cylinder or sleeve, or of the imperforate partthereof, are such that with the latter in position closing the said hole7 the metal of the cylinder or sleeve 10 overlaps the metal surroundingsaid hole 7 in the inner cylinder 1 to an extent sufiicient toeffectively prevent .a spark or flame from the interior of the .lampchamber passing outside the apparatus, and the engaging faces of theinner and outer cylinders may be oiled or greased to render the jointmore gas tight.

In the case of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4 the sleeve 10 ismovable vertically to open and close the opening 7 in the lamp chamber,the sleeve 10 in its uppermost position closing said opening 7 anduncovering the generator handle hole 8, and when lowered covering saidhole 8, the opening 7 being fully opened when the sleeve 10 is in itslowermost position.

.In the case of the apparatus shown in Figs. 7-to 10, the cylinder 10 isrotatable on the inner cylinder 1 to the extent of about onehalf of arevolution and in one of the extreme positions of cylinder 10, theopening 7 in the lamp chamber ofcylinder 1 is properly closed and thegenerator handle hole 8 in cylinder 10 in registration with thegenerator handle hole inthe inner cylinder. Means such as an upstandinglug on the plate 3 maybe provided .and adapted bythe abutment of one orother of the shoulders 10 10, Figs. 7 and 8, against it to limit torotary movement of cylinder 10 in either direction, the lower end ofcylinder 10 being cut away as shown to provide such shoulders, the cutaway portion also providing means for obtaining access todrivesci-lewsto lock the bottom 3 and inner casing 1 together, should suchlocking screws be emparatus shown in Figs. 7 to 10.

In the construction of apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4 the outercylinder or sleeve 10 may be a casting and the inner cylinder a steeltube; in the case of the construction shown in Figs. 7 to 10 bothcylinders may be formed of steel. In both constructions the outercylinder 10 carries a glazed sight opening 25 so that the lighting up ofthe lamp may be seen from without the apparatus, such glazed opening 25being rendered gas tight in any suitable manner. In the constructionshown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. said opening 25 comes opposite the opening7 in the inner cylinder 1 when the lamp chamber is closed; in theconstruction shown in Figs. 7 to 10 an opening 26 is provided in theinner cylinder 1 with which the opening 26 registers when the lampchamber is closed.

24L Fig. 4, is a key-way in the outer cylinder 10 adapted to cooperatewith a key, secured to the outer side of cylinder 1, to prevent relativerotation of the cylinders.

Referring now to Fig. 11, in this construction of apparatus theinclosing casing consists of a sheet steel box rectangular in form andof the desired dimensions, and provided with a suitable handle (orhandles) 30 by which it may be carried from place to place. This box isdivided by an internal air tight vertical partition 31 into two chambersor compartments, one the left hand) adapted to contain the electricitygenerating apparatus and the other (the right hand) adapted to receivethe lamp to be lighted.

In the generator chamber of the apparatus, a suitable form of electricgenerator, for instance a magneto machine, is mounted, and its drivingspindle is provided with means adapted to be engaged by a handle 32 andto be driven thereby, a hole being provided in the front of theinclosing casing through which the engaging portion of said handle canbe passed. Ihis hole is not shown in the drawing but is located behindthe portion of the handle 32 marked 32 in the drawing.

In the lamp chamber there are provided suitable contacts with which thecontact parts of the lamp are adapted to make contact when the lamp isin position in the chamber. Thepositive contact may for instance be theknown spring stud contact and the negative contact the known ringcontact 33 into which the lamp bottom takes.

In the front of the lamp chamber a hole of suitable size and shape iscut for the passage of the lamp into the interior of the chamber. Thedimensions of the casing and of the lamp chamber portion thereof aresuch that when said hole has been cut in the front of the lamp chamber aflange of considerable width is left around said hole. Suitably fixed toand at a relatively small distance from the outer face of the frontplate of the lamp chamber is an additional plate 34 provided with a hole35 of the same dimensions and adapted to coincide with the hole in thefront of the lamp chamber. The outer face of the front plate of thecasing and the inner face of the guide plate 34 are planed or faced soas to be smooth and true. At the top and bottom edges and at that edgeof plate 34 which is farthest from the generator chamber a suitablepacking strip 36 may be inserted between the front plate of the lampchamber and the said guide plate 34 so as to make an air tight joint atthe edges and also lea e a guide or channel surrounding the aperture ofthe lamp chamber of a depth of say 1".

The plates may be riveted together and the rivets passed through suchpacking strips, but other suitable means of closing the joints at theseedges may be employed. A sliding door 37, consisting of a plate havingits faces planed or faced so as to be smooth and true, is provided forthe lamp chamber and adapted to slide between the front plate of thechamber and the guide plate 34, said door being provided with a portion38 which, when the door is closed, projects laterally beyond the guideplate 34 at the generator chamber and constitutes a handle for operatingthe door. The door plate 37 is of such a thickness that it slidinglyfits the guideway formed between the front plate of the lamp chamber andthe guide plate 34 and that when oiled it will, when in the closedposition, prevent a flash or flame passing from the interior of the lampchamber to the exterior thereof.

The sliding door 37, for closing the aperture in the lamp chamber issuch that only when'it is fully home in its closed position with itsedge (at the generator chamber side or end) clear or open the hole intowhich the generator driving handle 32 takes, the said door at all othertimes closing or blocking said hole and thus preventing the generatorhandle being inserted to drive the generator. Means, such as thebackward turning of the end portions 34 of the plate 34 at the generatorchamber end of the easing, is provided to prevent the sliding door 37being moved in a direction to open the aperture of the lamp chamberfarther than complete removal of the door from the apparatus by anyunauthorized person.

It will thus be seen that it is impossible with an apparatus asdescribed and shown 1n Fig. 11, to obtain an igniting current until thelamp chamber is properly closed or sealed as it is impossible to insertany means, by which the generator may be driven, into the hole in thegenerator chamber until such lamp chamber is so closed or sealed, thedoor 37 blocking the entrance to such hole.

If desired a brush such as 19 Figs. 1, 2 and 3, may be fitted to theapparatus according to Fig. 11.

In any of the constructions of the apparatus described and shown,instead of a removable handle being employed and the member which sealsthe lamp opening itself preventing said handle being inserted exceptwhen the lamp opening is properly closed, a handle of suitable form,such as a folding handle or a handle which may be pulled out to berotated and then pushed in flush, ma be employed and the member whichsea s the lamp opening be so arranged that when moved from the positionin which it properly seals said opening it will cover said handle andthus effectively prevent operation thereof to generate a current. Anillustration of such a handle is given in Fig. 12, in which 40 is thegenerator spindle, and 41 the handle, which handle is pivotallyconnected by a pin 42 to a tubular ortion 43 adapted to take over theend of t e generator spindle 40. The tubular portion is provided onopposite sides with slots 44 of the desired length and a pin 45 passedthrough the end of the generator spindle 40 takes into these slots so asto permit the handle to slide on the generator spindle but not to beremoved therefrom. When it is desired to open the lamp chamber thehandle 41 may be turned over and pressed into a depression or housing 46provided in the casing as shown in dotted lines, such housing being ofcourse within the generator chamber. When the handle is so turned andpressed in the means closing the lam chamer may be operated to open such0 amber, but when the handle is out in the full line position shown inthe drawing the said means (of which 47 represents a portion) cannot bemoved to open said lamp chamber. When the means (47) adapted to closethe lamp chamber is in any position not closin such chamber it coversthe handle 41 and prevents its operation.

I claim 1. In a safety-lamp igniter, the combination, with a cylindricalcasing provided with .iiia ak chamber having a single lateral openingfor the introduction and removal of the lamp, and the generator chamberhaving on one side a means for effecting the working of the generator;of a cylindrical sleeve slidable longitudinally on the casing andnormally closing the said lateral opening and preventing the generatorfrom being operated when slid so as to uncover the said lateral opening.

2. In a safety-lamp igniter, the combination, with a cylindrical casingprovided with a partition which separates its end portions into twochambers, for a lamp and for an electricity generator respectively, thelamp chamber having a single lateral opening for the introduction andremoval of the lamp,

and the generator chamber having on one side a means for effecting theworking of the generator; of a cylindrical sleeve slidablelongitudinally on the casing and normally closing the said lateralopening and preventing the generator from being operated when slid so asto uncover the said lateral opening, and a plug or plate secured in thelamp chamber and provided with valved gas outlet holes having coversformed of wire gauze.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

VICTOR ERNEST J OYOE. Witnesses:

W. BUCK, EUSTAC-E H. BARKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Iatents, Washington, D. G.

